Nayana Doletta Ferguson (born October 23, 1973) is an African-American businesswoman. Co-founder and CEO of Anteel Tequila, she is the first Black woman to own and run a tequila company.
Life
Ferguson was born and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Cass Technical High School. Ferguson later had a career in business before launching Anteel Tequila (previously known as Teeq Tequila) in August 2018 with her husband Don Ferguson in Detroit. The company's name was inspired by the Antillean Crested hummingbird, which Ferguson and her husband saw on their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. The couple and company moved to Atlanta around 2022. Ferguson's Anteel Tequila products have received numerous industry awards, including SIP Awards, and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Ferguson promoted her company as a featured guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show on February 17, 2022.
Health
Ferguson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2005 and with breast cancer in 2012. She was involved with PanCan Detroit affiliate of volunteers which is connected with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
References
- "Nayana Doletta Ferguson's Michigan Voter Registration". VoterRecords.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ Post, Erin (2022-04-14). "Pancreatic Cancer Survivor Is First Black Woman to Co-Own Tequila Company". Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- https://www.instagram.com/p/CGsBtV_FzIz/
- ^ Uwumarogie, Victoria (July 14, 2021). "She Wanted A Healthier Spirit, Now She's The First Black Woman To Lead A Tequila Brand". Essence. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ Evans, Yolanda. "Meet The Only Black Women To Operate A Tequila Brand". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ Givens, Dana (2020-04-01). "This Entrepreneur Is Running The Only Black Female-Owned Tequila Brand". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ Baetens, Melody. "Celebrate National Tequila Day with Metro Detroit's own Anteel Tequila". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ Singleton, Isaiah (2022-12-09). "Black-Business Profile: Anteel Tequila is coming to Atlanta". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ Kalil-Barrino, Marisa. "Detroit tequila brand owned by a Black woman is first of its kind". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- "Celebrating Black Young Professionals Series: Women's History Month | Featuring Nayana Ferguson". Let's Detroit. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- "2022 Results" (PDF). sipawards.com. 2022. pp. 3, 6, 11, 72, 80. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- "Results 2021" (PDF). sipawards.com. 2021. pp. 3, 5. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- "Results Search – San Francisco World Spirits Competition" (PDF). www.sfspiritscomp.com. May 2021. p. 6. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- Watch The Kelly Clarkson Show - Official Website Web Exclusive: Cancer Survivor Makes History As The First Black Woman To Launch Her Own Tequila Brand - NBC.com, 2022-02-17, retrieved 2023-02-03